Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman has praised the Los Angeles Rams' new defensive pairing of Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett, calling the combination "insane" for opposing offenses to deal with. Donald, an eight-time First Team All-Pro, has come out of retirement to rejoin the Rams, while Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and single-season sack record holder, arrived via a blockbuster trade from the Cleveland Browns. Merriman argues that offensive lines will face a "pick your poison" dilemma each week, unable to focus protection on both stars at once.

Merriman, a former All-Pro with the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, said no offence can realistically use one-on-one blocking against both players without risking a blown play. He believes Garrett in particular could reach new heights in Los Angeles, having lacked the strong offensive support in Cleveland that would let him "pin his ears back" and rush aggressively in blowout games. On Donald, Merriman said he remains "a top three player at 80% of what he is," noting Donald led the league with 20.5 sacks in 2018 and has 111 for his career. The pairing joins a Rams team led by reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, who reached the NFC Championship Game last season before losing to the Seattle Seahawks.